Flexible, form-fitting, slide-type sandal

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the present disclosure provide a flexible, form-fitting, slide-type sandal, which includes a footbed and a strap affixed to the footbed on two sides. The strap comprises an underlay that spans the width of the footbed, as well as lateral and medial overlays with an expansion joint therebetween. The expansion joint between the lateral and medial overlays allows the underlay to flex and provide a better fit for the wearer.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority and a benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application 62/522,434, filed 20 Jun. 2017. The disclosures of this prior application are hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth below.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The various embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to slide-type sandals. More particularly, various embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to slide-type sandals configured to be flexible and form fitting on a wearer's foot.

BACKGROUND

Slide-type sandals often are worn for their ease of putting on and taking off. Wearers can slide them onto their foot instead of having to tie shoelaces, which can save time and effort. Slide-type sandals generally consist of a footbed and at least one strap over the wearer's foot. Some sandals will include multiple straps affixed to the footbed at different locations. Other sandals will include a single strap having two parts that connected with Velcro or some other connection mechanism (e.g., buckle, snap). These options cause the wearer to exert more effort and thereby reduce the ease of putting on and taking off the sandals. Additionally, the added components, additional straps, and/or connection mechanisms increase the complexity of the manufacturing process and provide more opportunity for a defect by virtue of having more opportunities for component failure.

SUMMARY

Aspects of the present disclosure provide for flexible, form-fitting, slide-type sandals having designs that improve the ease of putting on and taking off the sandal. Aspects of the present disclosure also provide for improved slide-type sandals having designs that increase the fit and comfort for the wearer by allowing the strap to flex and conform to the wearer's foot.

According to an example implementation, a flexible, form-fitting, slide-type sandal is provided. The slide-type sandal may comprise a footbed and a strap affixed to the lateral and medial sides of the footbed. The strap can comprise an underlay as well as lateral and medial overlays. The underlay may comprise an inner layer composed of a soft material such as memory foam and a lining composed of a flexible material such as neoprene or any other material with the ability to stretch and expand. In some embodiments, the lining may encapsulate or otherwise surround the inner layer, and the lining may attach directly to the footbed.

The lateral and medial overlays may be affixed to the underlay. The lateral overlay may span from the lateral side of the footbed to a point before, but proximate to, the medial side of the footbed. The medial overlay can span from the medial side of the footbed to a point before, but proximate to, the end of the lateral overlay, thus creating an expansion joint (or gap) between the lateral and media overlays proximate the medial side of the footbed. As will be appreciated, the expansion joint between the lateral and medial overlays allows the underlay to flex and provide a better form fit for the wearer. As will further be appreciated, placing the expansion joint closer to the medial side of the footbed allows the underlay to flex in response to the insertion of the thickest portion of the foot, though the expansion joint can be placed in other locations according to some embodiments, which can include expansion joints on both the medial and lateral sides.

Other implementations, features, and aspects of the disclosed technology are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosed technology. Other implementations, features, and aspects can be understood with reference to the following detailed description, accompanying drawings, and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Reference will now be made to the accompanying figures and flow diagrams, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:

FIG. 1 is a medial view and a lateral view of a slide-type sandal, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a medial view and a lateral view of a slide-type sandal, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a slide-type sandal, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a right and left strap for a pair of slide-type sandals, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a strap for a slide-type sandal, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 7 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

FIG. 8 is a view of an exemplary embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Throughout this disclosure, certain implementations are described in exemplary fashion in relation to flexible/form-fitting slide-type sandals. Some implementations of the disclosed technology will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. This disclosed technology may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the implementations set forth therein.

In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth. However, it is to be understood that implementations of the disclosed technology may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail in order not to obscure an understanding of this description. References to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” “some embodiments,” “certain embodiments,” “various embodiments,” etc., indicate that the embodiment(s) of the disclosed technology so described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but not every embodiment necessarily includes the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Further, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment” does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although it may.

Throughout the specification and the claims, the following terms take at least the meanings explicitly associated herein, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. The term “or” is intended to mean an inclusive “or.” Further, the terms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to mean one or more unless specified otherwise or clear from the context to be directed to a singular form.

Unless otherwise specified, the use of the ordinal adjectives “first,” “second,” “third,” etc., to describe a common object, merely indicate that different instances of like objects are being referred to, and are not intended to imply that the objects so described should be in a given sequence, either temporally, spatially, in ranking, or in any other manner.

FIG. 1 is a lateral view 101 and medial view 102 of a slide-type sandal 100, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The slide-type sandal 100 may include a strap 103 and a footbed 105 that defines the length of the sandal 100. The footbed 105 may be composed of a material such as rubber, cork, foam, latex, polyurethane (PU), ethylene vinyl acetate (EVA) or other suitable materials, or any combination thereof. The strap 103 may comprise an underlay 110 that spans the footbed's entire width, a lateral overlay 106, a medial overlay 108, and an expansion joint 104 between the lateral and medial overlays 106, 108. The underlay 110 may comprise a lining and an inner layer, which will be discussed herein. The lateral overlay 106 may span from a first end of the lateral overlay 106 on the outside of the lateral side of the footbed 105 to a second end of the lateral overlay 106 at a point before, but proximate to, the medial side of the footbed 105. The medial overlay 108 may span from a first end of the medial overlay 108 on the outside of the medial side of the footbed 105 to a second end of the medial overlay 108 at a point before, but proximate to, the second end of the lateral overlay 106.

In some embodiments, the distance between the second end of the lateral overlay 106 and the second end of the medial overlay 108 creates an expansion joint 104, which exposes the underlay 110. The expansion joint 104 may allow the underlay 110 to flex to provide a better form fit and more comfort for a wearer. In some embodiments, and as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, & 4, the expansion joint 104 may be closer to the medial side of the footbed 105 to allow the underlay 110 to flex in response to the insertion of the thickest portion of the wearer's foot. It is to be understood that the expansion joint 104 can be located elsewhere or that there could be a plurality of expansion joints (e.g., on both the lateral and medial sides of the footbed), according to certain embodiments.

In some embodiments, the lateral and medial overlays 106, 108 may be composed of a more durable material than the underlay 110. For example, the overlays 106, 108 may be composed of leather, polyurethane, synthetic nubuck, denim, canvas, or some other suitable material. In certain embodiments, the overlays 106, 108 may be solid pieces of material as depicted in FIGS. 1 & 4. In other embodiments, and as shown in FIG. 2, the lateral overlay 106 may have cutouts 112 (e.g., circular cutouts or various other shaped cutouts) that expose the underlay 110, while the medial overlay 108 remains a solid piece. In yet other embodiments, the medial overlay 108 and lateral overlay 106 may both have cutouts 112. In some embodiments, the cutouts 112 may contribute to the overall flexibility of the strap 103.

FIG. 3 is a top view of a slide-type sandal, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a right strap 103 a and left strap 103 b for a pair of slide-type sandals, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. The right strap 103 a may include a right underlay 110 a spanning the entire length of the right strap 103 a, a right lateral overlay 106 a, a right medial overlay 108 a, and a right expansion joint 104 a. The right lateral overlay 106 a may span from the outside of the footbed 105 on the lateral side to a point proximate the right medial overlay 108 a thereby creating the right expansion joint 104 a between the right lateral overlay 106 a and the right medial overlay 108 a. As discussed in the foregoing, the right expansion joint 104 a may be located closer to the medial side of the footbed 105 and allow the right underlay 110 a to flex to allow for a secure fit.

Similar to the right strap 103 a, the left strap 103 b may include a left underlay 110 b spanning the entire length of the left strap 103 b, a left lateral overlay 106 b, a left medial overlay 108 b, and a left expansion joint 104 b. The left lateral overlay 106 b may span from the outside of the footbed 105 on the lateral side to a point proximate the medial overlay 108 b, thus creating the left expansion joint 104 b between the left lateral overlay 106 b and the left medial overlay 108 b. As with the right expansion joint 104 a, the left expansion joint 104 b may be located closer to the medial side of the footbed 105 and allow the left underlay 110 b to flex and provide an improved fit.

FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a strap 103 for a slide-type sandal, according to certain embodiments of the present disclosure. As discussed previously, the strap 103 may comprise an underlay in addition to lateral and medial overlays with an expansion joint therebetween. In FIG. 5, the lateral and medial overlays are represented as a single overlay 501. As discussed, in some embodiments, underlay 504 may comprise an inner layer 502 and a lining 503. The inner layer 502 may be composed of a material such as memory foam or another similar material. The lining 503 may be composed of a material capable of flexing, such as neoprene, pig leather, or any other material that has the ability to stretch and expand. As shown in FIG. 5, the underlay 504 may be created by wrapping the lining 503 around the inner layer 502 (i.e., the lining 503 may encapsulate the inner layer 502). The overlay 501 may then be affixed to the underlay 504 to create the strap 103. The completed strap 103 may then be affixed to the footbed 105 to create the slide-type sandal.

FIGS. 6, 7, & 8 are additional views of exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure.

While certain implementations of the disclosed technology have been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical implementations, it is to be understood that the disclosed technology is not to be limited to the disclosed implementations, but on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

This written description uses examples to disclose certain implementations of the disclosed technology, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice certain implementations of the disclosed technology, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of certain implementations of the disclosed technology is defined in the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they have structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal language of the claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A sandal comprising: a footbed; and a strap affixed to the sandal's medial and lateral sides, the strap comprising; an extensible material underlay spanning the sandal's width; and a material overlay affixed to the extensible material underlay's top surface.
 2. The sandal of claim 1, the material overlay comprising: a first portion spanning from the footbed's lateral side to a first location spaced apart from the footbed's medial side; a second portion spanning from the footbed's medial side to a second location spaced apart from the footbed's medial side, the second location nearer the medial side than the first location, wherein a gap disposed between the first location and the second location is an expansion joint.
 3. The sandal of claim 2, wherein the expansion joint allows the strap to expand and constrict for conformance to a wearer's foot.
 4. The sandal of claim 1, the material overlay comprising at least three portions affixed to the extensible material underlay's top surface, the at least three portions collectively spanning the sandal's width, each portion of the at least three portions spaced apart from any adjacent portion of the at least three portions, wherein a gap disposed between any two portions of the at least three portions is an expansion joint.
 5. The sandal of claim 1, the material overlay being a single continuous portion spanning the sandal's width and having a plurality of pre-cut holes, the plurality of pre-cut holes allowing the strap to expand and constrict for conformance to a wearer's foot.
 6. The sandal of claim 1, the extensible material underlay being composed of neoprene.
 7. The sandal of claim 1, the material overlay being composed of a material selected from a group consisting of: leather, polyurethane, synthetic nubuck, denim, and canvas.
 8. The sandal of claim 1, the footbed being composed of one or more materials selected from a group consisting of: rubber, cork, foam, latex, polyurethane, and ethylene vinyl acetate.
 9. A sandal comprising: a footbed; and a strap affixed to the sandal's medial and lateral sides, the strap comprising: an extensible material underlay spanning the sandal's width; and a material overlay affixed to the extensible material underlay's top surface, the material overlay comprising: a first portion spanning from the footbed's lateral side to a first location spaced apart from the footbed's medial side; and a second portion spanning from the footbed's medial side to a second location spaced apart from the footbed's medial side, the second location nearer the medial side than the first location, wherein a gap disposed between the first location and the second location is an expansion joint that allows the strap to expand and constrict for conformance to a wearer's foot.
 10. The sandal of claim 9, the extensible material underlay being composed of neoprene.
 11. The sandal of claim 9, the material overlay being composed of a material selected from a group consisting of: leather, polyurethane, synthetic nubuck, denim, and canvas.
 12. The sandal of claim 9, the footbed being composed of one or more materials selected from a group consisting of: rubber, cork, foam, latex, polyurethane, and ethylene vinyl acetate.
 13. The sandal of claim 9, the strap comprising a second material overlay affixed to the extensible material underlay's bottom surface, the second material overlay comprising: a first portion spanning from the footbed's lateral side to a first location spaced apart from the footbed's medial side; a second portion spanning from the footbed's medial side to a second location spaced apart from the footbed's medial side, the second location nearer the medial side than the first location, wherein a gap disposed between the first location and the second location is an expansion joint that allows the strap to expand and constrict for conformance to a wearer's foot.
 14. The sandal of claim 10, the second material overlay being composed of a material selected from a group consisting of: leather, polyurethane, synthetic nubuck, denim, and canvas. 